Two members of his coaching team awaiting are awaiting an investigation into an alleged approach to match officials at half-time against Australia. Details of a player's private life have been exposed in the press and there were reports of a bizarre team-building exercise involving horses.

At least we were spared the dwarf throwing.

The 60-3 win restored some respect in the England team. But it was far from convincing.

The winless south Americans were, after all, the World Cup's worst side.

Jack Nowell of England scores the sixth try (Photo: Getty)

They boasted a mere four professional players in their squad. Most of them have had to take unpaid leave to play in the competition. And they'd played against Fiji only four days ago.

Lancaster said: "The second half performance was the sort of performance I was after. Uruguay took some breaking down but we managed that and scored some good tries.

"Overall we put some good shapes together, our attack was cohesive and the younger players put their hands up for the future.

"The reaction of the crowd at the end was fantastic for the players."

Consolation: England are heading out regardless of their thumping win (Photo: Getty)

The 55,000-strong crowd were certainly vocal and enthusiastic in their support, despite it being a meaningless contest.

And they were cheered by a young, new-look side, expressing delight when the likes of Henry Slade, Jack Nowell and George Ford touched the ball.

Nowell became the youngest player to score a hat-trick for England since Jake Jacob in 1924. And 37-year-old became the oldest hat-trick scorer in Test rugby history.

But it was the performance of Slade - a star in the making - that put the smile back on English rugby.

Slade was starting only his second Test - which begs the question of why Lancaster didn't introduce him earlier in the tournament.

The coach knew his team needed not only to beat Uruguay, but to beat them in style.

England started lethargically, gifting an easy chance to Uruguay. After being caught offside, fly-half Felipe Berchesi made no mistake with his right boot.

To a tee: Farrell kicks a conversion (Photo: Getty)

Normal service was resumed when Nowell's kick was caught by Anthony Watson who sped past several blue shirts to touch down for a try.

Only 21-3 up at the interval, Lancaster needed to inject some energy into his side. And they certainly came out a bit more fired up after the break. A fluid attack ended up with Watson walking in another try.

This triggered a great spell for the home side. Slade charged down Agustin Ormaechea's kick to touch down. Care set up Slade to join team-mate Slade on the try-sheet and Easter bundled over his third try.

The match ended with Ford knocking over his first conversion in front of the posts.